Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“That’ll be nice for the kids. To be with someone they know.”
I let out a small groan. “Remind me of this when Cutter wants to yell and scream at me.”
“He’s going to go through a lot,” Weston said. “Not only are his hormones all over the place, but he’s losing his mom, and his dad—”
“Doesn’t exist,” I said, interrupting him. “Their dad isn’t in the picture. Never has been. I’m not even sure he knows he has a daughter.”
“Wait, so he left when Miriam was pregnant? Just up and left his son?”
I grimaced. “Sort of. He wasn’t around for Cutter until he showed up randomly. It was like he had an oat to sow, did, and bailed when Miri told him they were having another child.”
“Bastard.”
The one-word statement made me chuckle. “Among other things. I don’t want to say he ruined Miri’s life, but . . .”
“No, I get it.”
“Yeah . . .”
“What about Miriam’s family? Will they fight you for the kids?”
This time I let out something that sounded like a half cough, half laugh. “She’s an only child, and her parents disowned her when she wouldn’t give Cutter up.”
Weston opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it. I half grinned and continued walking toward the crosswalk.
“Wow. I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“It’s something that doesn’t come up, ya know? People don’t ask at games where the grandparents are. My parents show up. They fill the holes left by Miriam’s family.”
“I like your mom,” he said as we crossed the street. He held the door for the Cozy Cup Café and waited for me to enter.
“Is Scout allowed inside?”
“Yeah, Samira loves all dogs.”
The Cozy Cup Café was a vibrant place. As soon as you walked in, the yellow walls welcomed you. Small tables lined one wall, with booths along the other. In the center, round tables were available for bigger parties. Toward the back, where patrons placed their orders, was a large display case with fresh pastries, cakes, and muffins. I wanted to buy the whole lot and eat it all in one sitting.
We walked to the counter and waited in line, which moved fairly fast for a Saturday morning. I placed my order and motioned for Weston to place his, as I intended to buy his breakfast since he’d repaired the porch.
He had his phone on the tap-to-pay before I could maneuver around him and Scout.
“I was going to pay,” I told him as we walked to one of the empty tables.
“I figured, but that wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me.”
“Well, thank you. Next weekend is on me.”
His eyebrows popped up. “Are we doing this again next weekend?”
I shrugged. “I’m going to need friends. I know I can count on my mom, but she has her own life. Nova has a friend whose parents will help with pickup if I’m stuck in a meeting or at the hospital.”
“I’ll be your friend,” he said.
“Me too,” Samira said as she approached with our coffees and the order of doughnuts I’d placed for Nova and Miri. “You just have to let us know what you need.”
“Us?”
Samira smiled. “I know you’re not here a lot, but Miriam has a nice little friend group. Usually, we get together once a week to gossip. It’s our ‘book club,’” she said, using air quotes around “book club.”
“Do you actually read?” Weston asked.
Samira shook her head, smiled brightly, and placed her hand on his shoulder. “We bring books, but we also bring wine, and let me tell you, loose lips sink ships.”
“Oh, lovely,” I said, trying not to laugh. “So what time is book club next week?”
Samira paled. “It was Miriam’s turn to host.”
“And she’ll host,” I said. “Her last however many weeks she has need to be normal. It’s better for the kids to see her living her life.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded. “Tell me when and what time, and Miriam will host.”
Samira beamed. “Edith and Vera will be so happy. We really want to help out where we can.”
“Believe me, I’ll take all the help I can,” I told her as I handed her my phone. “Put your number in there and text yourself.”
She did and handed it back to me.
“Please let me know what Miriam usually does when hosting.”
“I will. This will be fun.”
“That’s the goal, to make things fun for her.”
Samira excused herself to help another customer. I watched her walk away, lost in thought.
“You’re an amazing friend,” Weston said.
I shook my head slightly. “I don’t know about that. Miri would do the same thing for me. There’s a good chance she doesn’t want anyone at the house, but I refuse to watch her sit there and wither away.”
“Is she going to the game?”
“She is. It’s important for Cutter to see her out there. She already missed one game and doesn’t need to miss any more.”